Merchandise hanger and method of use

ABSTRACT

A merchandise hanger includes a base section, a living hinge, and a hooked section. The base section defines a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface and includes features configured to facilitate coupling the base section to the product assembly. The living hinge extends from the base section. The hooked section extends from the living hinge. The base section includes one of at least one male coupling structure and at least one female coupling structure. The hooked section includes the other of the at least one male coupling structure and the at least one female coupling structure. The merchandise hanger folds about the living hinge in a manner mating the at least one male coupling structure and the at least one female coupling structure to maintain the merchandise hanger in a folded position. Other hangers, products, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C.§119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/243,666, filed Sep. 18,2009, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Picture frames (oftentimes including pictures), pictures, artwork, andsimilar products are generally packaged and transported in cardboardpackaging, which allow viewing of the products while at the same timeprotecting the edges and corners of the products from damage. Whether ornot such products are wrapped in cardboard packing, the size and weightof such products has created difficulties in effectively displayingthese products in a retail setting. The products are often stacked onthe floor or placed on a shelf for viewing by potential consumers.

In other instances, the products are hung from retail supports to beviewed by potential consumers. When the products are hung, hangers orother mechanisms facilitating such hanging often protrude from the edgesof the products. These protrusions create awkwardly sized products topack and ship, which, in turn, increases expenses generally associatedwith packing and shipping the associated products.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present invention relates to a merchandise hanger fordisplaying a product assembly. The merchandise hanger includes a basesection, a living hinge, and a hooked section. The base section definesa top edge, a bottom edge opposite the top edge, a front surface, and arear surface opposite the front surface. The base section includesfeatures configured to facilitate coupling the base section to a back ofthe product assembly such that the front surface of the base sectionabuts the back of the product assembly. The living hinge extends fromthe bottom edge of the base section. The hooked section extends from theliving hinge in a direction opposite the base section. The base sectionincludes one of at least one male coupling structure and at least onefemale coupling structure. The hooked section includes the other of theat least one male coupling structure and the at least one femalecoupling structure. The merchandise hanger is configured to fold aboutthe living hinge in a manner mating the at least one male couplingstructure and the at least one female coupling structure to maintain themerchandise hanger in a folded position. Other related products, retaildisplay assemblies, and methods are also disclosed and provideadditional advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with respect to thefigures, in which like reference numerals denote like elements, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a front, perspective view illustration of a merchandisehanger, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear, perspective view illustration of the merchandisehanger of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view illustration of the merchandise hanger of FIG. 1,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a rear view illustration of the merchandise hanger of FIG. 1,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a right side view illustration of the merchandise hanger ofFIG. 1, according to one embodiment of the present invention. The leftside view illustration is a mirror image of the right side viewillustration.

FIG. 6 is a top view illustration of the merchandise hanger of FIG. 1,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view illustration of the merchandise hanger of FIG.1, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a rear view illustration of the merchandise hanger of FIG. 1in a shipping position and coupled to a product for retail sale,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a rear view illustration of the merchandise hanger of FIG. 1in a hanging position and coupled to a product for retail sale,according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a front, perspective view illustration of a retail displayincluding a plurality of merchandise hangers each coupled with a productfor retail sale and hung from a support structure, according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating a method of using a merchandisehanger, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Merchandise hangers provide effective mechanisms for hanging productsfor retail sale from retail display support structures. In oneembodiment, each merchandise hanger is configured to transition from ashipping position, in which the merchandise hanger is maintained withina footprint of a corresponding product or item of merchandise, and adisplay or hanging position, in which the merchandise hanger protrudesfrom a perimeter of the corresponding product to facilitate hanging theproduct from the support structure incorporated into the correspondingretail display. The transition of the merchandise hanger betweenpositions allows the products with merchandise hangers to be provided incompact sizes and shapes for shipping and transportation while stillproviding an effective interface to support the products in a retaildisplay. In one example, the merchandise hanger is formed or molded froma single material, such as plastic, etc. in a manner providing a costeffective, easy to use, and aesthetically pleasing hanger for thecorresponding product.

Turning to the figures, FIGS. 1-7 illustrate a merchandise hanger 10according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hanger 10 isconfigured to be secured to a product or merchandise assembly 100 (seeFIGS. 8-10) including an item of merchandise or a product 104 (see FIGS.8-10) such as a picture frame, picture, artwork, or other hanging homedecor or similar item to provide a mechanism for hanging productassembly 100 from a support in a retail display setting. In oneembodiment, hanger 10 includes an elongated plate or base section 12, afirst extension member or first hooked section 14, a second extensionmember or second hooked section 16, and a cross bar 18.

Base section 12 is configured to be secured to merchandise assembly 100including product 104 and/or any packaging thereon. In one embodiment,base section 12 defines a front surface 20 and a rear surface 22opposite front surface 20 each extending between a top edge 24, a bottomedge 26 opposite top edge 24, and opposing side edges 28. At least frontsurface 20 and, in one embodiment, rear surface 22 are substantiallyplanar. Each opposing side edge 28 extends between and, in one example,substantially perpendicular to top edge 24 and bottom edge 26.

Attachment apertures 30 extend through base section 12 between andthrough each of front surface 20 and rear surface 22. Each of attachmentapertures 30 is sized to receive a screw, rivet, staple portion, orother fastener 32 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) to attach base section 12 tomerchandise assembly 100. In one example, two or more, such as four,attachment apertures 30 are defined in a linear arrangement extendingbetween opposing side edges 28. In one embodiment, base section 12defines a middle opening 34 configured to accommodate various featuresof merchandise assembly 100 as will be further described below. In oneexample, middle opening 34 is substantially rectangular and is generallyelongated as it extends between opposing side edges 28, for instance,centered between opposing side edges 28.

In one embodiment, base section 12 includes at least one male couplingstructure 40. Each of the at least one male coupling structure 40 isconfigured to interface with corresponding structures in other parts ofhanger 10 to selectively maintain hanger 10 in a hanging or supportingposition as will be described in further detail below. In one example,at least one male coupling structure 40 includes one or more of tabs 42and/or one or more clips 44. In one embodiment, base section 12 includesa pair of tabs 42 and a pair of clips 44 with each pair beingsymmetrically positioned about a centerline of hanger 10, and in oneembodiment, of base section 12, extending substantially parallel toopposing side edges 28 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Each of tabs 42protrudes from rear surface 22 in a direction extending away from frontsurface 20, which, in one embodiment, is an extension substantiallyperpendicular to rear surface 22. In one example, each of tabs 42 isgenerally rectangular or otherwise elongated and extends in asubstantially vertical manner, which, in one embodiment, issubstantially parallel to opposing side edges 28.

In one example, each of clips 44 extends from rear surface 22 in adirection extending away from front surface 20 and, in one embodiment,is substantially centered relative to one of tabs 42. As illustrated, inone embodiment, each of clips 44 includes a base portion 46 and a hookportion 48. Base portion 46 extends from rear surface 22 in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to rear surface 22, and, in one example, issubstantially rectangular or otherwise elongated in a directionsubstantially parallel top edge 24 and bottom edge 26 of base section12. Hook portion 48 extends from an end of base portion 46 opposite rearsurface 22 and extends away substantially perpendicular to base portion46 to effectively define hook portion 48 with a hook-like feature forgrasping a corresponding feature of hanger 10 as will be furtherdescribed below. In one example, hook portion 48 extends downwardly frombase portion 46.

First hooked section 14 and second hooked section 16 each extenddownwardly from and are coupled with bottom edge 26 of base section 12via a living hinge 50. In one embodiment, where hanger 10 is entirelyformed of a single material such as a molded plastic or similarmaterial, living hinge 50 is a portion of hanger 10 with a relativelythin thickness to allow a bottom portion of hanger 10 including firsthooked section 14, second hooked section 16, and cross bar 18 to bebent, flipped, or folded along living hinge 50. In one embodiment,living hinge 50 is configured to allow first hooked section and secondhooked section 16 to each be folded upwardly relative to base section 12to interface with at least one male coupling structure 40, e.g., tabs 42and/or clips 44, of base section 12 while maintaining hanger 10 as asingle molded piece of suitable material.

In one embodiment, first hooked section 14 includes a primary body 60and a hooked or curved extension or curved portion 62 extending fromprimary body 60. Primary body 60 extends from and, in one embodiment,directly abuts living hinge 50. In one example, primary body 60 issubstantially rectangular. Primary body 60 and hooked section 14collectively define a substantially planar rear surface 64 of the bottomportion of hanger 10. First hooked section 14 includes at least onefemale coupling structure 66 extending rearwardly from rear surface 64,for example, entirely through first hooked section 14 to selectivelymate with at least one male coupling structure 40 of base section 12when hanger 10 is in the hanging position (see FIG. 9). In one example,the at least one female coupling structure 66 includes a guide slot oraperture 68 for receiving one of tabs 42 and a guide slot or aperture 70for receiving one of clips 44. Aperture 68 is substantially rectangularor otherwise shaped in a manner corresponding with a shape of acorresponding one of tabs 42 to receive the corresponding tab 42 whenhanger 10 is in the folded or hanging position. In one example,interaction between aperture 68 and the one of tabs 42 acts to guidepositioning of hooked section 14 relative to base section 12 when hanger10 is being folded.

Aperture 70 is sized, shaped, and positioned to receive a correspondingone of clips 44 of base section 12. In one example, a protrusion 72extends forwardly from one side edge of aperture 70, for instance, froma top edge of aperture 70 to interface with hooked portion 48 of thecorresponding clip 44 as will be described in further detail below. Inone embodiment, hooked portion 48 defines a front recess 74, andprotrusion 72 is defined and protrudes from front recess 74. In oneexample, a side slot or groove 78 extends from an internal edge ofhooked portion 48 into front recess 74. Groove 78 provides clearancearound one of fasteners 32 (see FIG. 9) when hanger 10 is in the foldedposition.

Curved portion 62 of first hooked section 14 extends downwardly fromprimary body 60, and hooked section 14 curves or hooks near an oppositeend thereof to form a hook with an opening 80 facing a center of hanger10 (i.e., facing second hooked section 16). Hooked portion 48 defines asupport surface 82 on a top edge of the hook configured to interfacewith a supporting structure of a retail display as will be furtherdescribed below.

In one embodiment, second hooked section 16 is substantially similar tofirst hooked section 14 described above except where specifically noted.In one example, first hooked section 14 and second hooked section 16 aresymmetrically positioned and orientated relative to a verticalcenterline (see FIGS. 3 and 4). For example, hooked portions 48 of eachof first hooked section 14 and second hooked section 16 are open towardeach other, that is, open toward a center of hanger 10. In one example,hooked portions 48 of first hooked section 14 and second hooked section16 face in the same direction (e.g., left or right), are each openedaway from one another, or take on any other suitable orientation. In oneexample, cross bar 18 extends from and between first hooked section 14and second hooked section 16 in a manner providing additional strengthand rigidity to hanger 10. As illustrated, in one embodiment, cross bar18 extends between and directly abuts terminal ends 84 of each hookportion 48 of first hooked section 14 and second hooked section 16.Other locations for cross bar 18 to extend between first hooked section14 and second hooked section 16 are also contemplated such as betweenbase portions 46 of first hooked section 14 and second hooked section 16as will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading thecurrent application.

In one example, portions of hanger 10 are configured to receive indicia90 such as marketing, instructional, branding, or other suitableindicia. In one example, indicia 90 include instructions for usinghanger 10 such as “flip up and snap.” In one embodiment, cross bar 18defines a rear or display surface 92 for supporting indicia 90 asgenerally indicated as a dashed line box in FIGS. 2, 4, and 8. In oneexample, rear surface 22 of base section 12 is also configured to andmay support indicia 90, for instance, just below mid-opening 34 asillustrated in FIGS. 2, 4, 8, and 9.

Hanger 10 is sized in any suitable manner and, in one example, is sizedbased on the size and weight of merchandise assembly 100 that hanger 10is expected to support. In one embodiment, hanger 10 has an overallwidth, e.g., a width of base section 12, between about 4.5 inches andabout 5 inches (e.g., 4.8 inches) and an overall height between about3.5 inches and about 4 inches. In one example, base section 12 has aheight of about 1 inch, middle opening 34 has a height of about 0.5inch. In one embodiment, living hinge 50 defines a height between basesection 12 and the corresponding one of first hooked section 14 andsecond hooked section 16 of at least about 0.25 inch.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate hanger 10 coupled to a merchandise assembly 100according to one embodiment of the invention. Merchandise assembly 100includes merchandise item or product 104 such as a picture frame,picture, artwork, or other hanging home decor. In one example,merchandise assembly 100 also includes packaging of some sort such asplastic wrap, cardboard or plastic frame-like box, etc. Upon readingthis application, one of skill in the art will recognize that hanger 10may be applied directly to product 104 or to any relatively rigid orotherwise suitable packaging coupled to product 104. In the illustratedembodiments, merchandise assembly 100 includes a frame 102 surround apicture, photo, or similar product 104 or packaging associatedtherewith. Frame 102 may be a decorative frame meant to be hung anddisplayed with product 104 by an end user or a cardboard or similarpackaging frame surrounding at least a portion of product 104 and meantto be discarded by the end user.

In one embodiment, frame 102 defines frame wall 110 with a front surface112 and a rear surface 114 opposite the front surface 112. In oneexample, front surface 112 and rear surface 114 can be considered thefront and rear surfaces, respectively, of merchandise assembly 100 as awhole. Front surface 112 faces in a direction similar to the direction aviewable surface 115 (see FIG. 10) of product 104 faces. In one example,a saw-tooth or other suitable hanger 108 is coupled to rear surface 114to facilitate hanging frame 102 in the home, office, or other desiredlocation by the end user. In one embodiment, other items such as asecurity band or device are attached in the place of saw-tooth hanger108. Merchandise assembly 100, for example, frame 102, defines anoutermost perimeter 118, which, in turn, defines an overall footprint ofmerchandise assembly 100.

Front surface 20 (see FIGS. 1 and 3) of hanger 10 is applied to rearsurface 114 of frame wall 110, for example, centered between opposingsides of frame wall 110. In one embodiment, hanger 10 is applied suchthat top edge 24 (e.g., a topmost edge) of hanger 10 does not extendabove a topmost edge 120 of merchandise assembly 100, which, in oneexample, is defined by frame 102. In one example, hanger 10 ispositioned such that saw-tooth hanger 108 is received within middleopening 34 such that saw-tooth hanger 108 does not obstruct thesubstantially face-to-face mating of front surface 20 of hanger 10 andrear surface 114 of frame wall 110. Fasteners 32, such as screws, nails,rivets, staples, etc., are inserted through attachment apertures 30 ofbase section 12 of hanger 10 to secure hanger 10 to merchandise assembly100.

Once attached and while unfolded as illustrated in FIG. 8, hanger 10generally fits within the outer footprint of merchandise assembly 100defined by outermost perimeter 118 of merchandise assembly 100. As such,hanger 10 generally does not substantially add to the outer dimensionsof merchandise assembly 100, which permits for easier packing andstorage of multiple product assemblies 100 in a box or other arrangementfor storage and transportation. In one example, since hanger 10 does notsubstantially increase the dimensions of the footprint of merchandiseassembly 100 cost savings are realized when packing and storing productassemblies 100. While primarily described as being attached to frame102, upon reading the application, one of skill in the art willrecognize that hanger 10 can be attached to any suitable portion ofmerchandise assembly 100 including direct attachment to product 104.

When merchandise assembly 100 is being unpacked and hung in a retailsetting, the employee or other individual hanging product assemblytransitions hanger 10 between the folded or storage position shown inFIG. 8 and the unfolded or hanging position shown in FIG. 9. Morespecifically, the employee grasps one or more of first hooked section14, second hooked section 16, and cross bar 18 to fold the bottomportion of hanger 10 about a horizontal axis through living hinges 50.As the bottom portion of hanger 10, which includes first hooked section14, second hooked section 16, and cross bar 18, is folded upwardly, tabs42 of base section 12 are received within apertures 68 of first hookedsection 14 and second hooked section 16 to guide alignment of the bottomportion of hanger 10 with base section 12.

Continued folding of hanger 10 moves clips 44 of base section 12 throughapertures 70 of first hooked section 14 and second hooked section 16until hook portion 48 of each clip 44 moves over and then hooks aroundprotrusions 72 extending adjacent each of apertures 70 in a mannereffectively locking the bottom portion of hanger 10 in an invertedposition. More specifically, when locked in the hanging position withthe bottom portion of hanger 10 inverted, rear surface 22 of basesection 12 directly abuts or is directly adjacent to rear surface 64 ofeach primary body 60 and curved portion 62 of first hooked section 14and second hooked section 16. In one embodiment, when hanger 10 is inthe hanging position, base section 12 of hanger 10 is substantiallyhidden from view of a potential consumer viewing merchandise assembly100 from a front vantage point as shown, for example, with additionalreference to FIG. 10. Although hanger 10 is primarily described hereinas including at least one male coupling structure 40 on base section 12and at least one female coupling structure 66 on the bottom portion,more particularly, on first hooked section 14 and second hooked section16, upon reading this application, one of skill in the art willrecognize that the position of at least one male coupling structure 40and at least one female coupling structure 66 can be interchanged andstill collectively provide for guidance and locking of hanger 10 duringtransition to and/or in the hanging position.

In the hanging position of FIG. 9, curved portions 62 of each of firsthooked section 14 and second hooked section 16 extend above topmost edge120 of merchandise assembly 100. In one example, cross bar 18 also ispositioned above topmost edge 120 of merchandise assembly 100 whenhanger 10 is in the hanging position, and indicia 90 on display surface92 face forwardly to be viewable by potential consumers viewingmerchandise assemblies 100 on retail display. In one embodiment, hanger10 extends above topmost edge 120 of merchandise assembly 100 whenhanger 10 is in the hanging position a distance between about 1.5 inchesand about 2 inches, for example, about 1.8 inches.

One example of a retail display 128 is illustrated in FIG. 10 andincludes a support structure 130 extending from a display wall 132. Inone embodiment, support structure 130 is a U-shaped or other structureincluding two parallel bars 134. Merchandise assembly 100 is hung fromsupport structure 130 by placing each support surface 83 of each curvedportion 62 of first hooked section 14 and second hooked section 16 on adifferent corresponding one of the two parallel bars 134. Hanger 10coupled with merchandise assembly 100 can be readily slid along supportstructure 130 and multiple hangers 10 each coupled with a differentmerchandise assembly 100 can be supported by a single support structure130. In this manner, merchandise assembly 100 is readily viewable bypotential consumers in a neat, orderly, and aesthetically pleasingmanner without requiring a lower support or shelf for merchandiseassembly 100.

One example of a method of using hanger 10 to support a merchandiseassembly 100 is generally illustrated at 150 in FIG. 11. Method 150begins by coupling hanger 10 to merchandise assembly 100. For example,as described above, front surface 20 of base section 12 of hanger 10 islaid over rear surface 114 of frame wall 110 (or similar portion ofproduct 104 directly) and fasteners 32 are placed through attachmentapertures 30 of hanger 10 and into frame wall 110. At 154, merchandiseassembly 100 with hanger 10 are packed and transported. In one example,hanger 10 is in an unfolded or storage position (FIG. 8) and fullydisposed within the footprint or outermost perimeter 118 of merchandiseassembly 100 when packed, for instance, in a box or other suitablecontainer. In one embodiment, multiple merchandise assemblies 100 eachhaving a corresponding hanger 10 are packed in a single box or othercontainer for transport.

At 156, the box or other container of merchandise assemblies 100 isreceived at a retail setting. Merchandise assemblies 100 are unpackedfrom the box or container and positioned for retail display by a personsuch as an employee, contractor, etc. More specifically, in one example,unpacking and positioning at 156 includes removing each merchandiseassembly 100 from the box or container at 160 and flipping thecorresponding hanger 10 of each merchandise assembly 100 from thestorage position (FIG. 8) to the hanging position (FIG. 9) at 162. Inone embodiment, flipping or folding the hanger at 162 includes lockinghanger 10 in the hanging position, for example, by mating at least onemale coupling structure 40 of base section 12 with at least one femalecoupling structure 66 of first hooked section 14 and second hookedsection 16. In one example, when hanger 10 is in the folded position,the at least one male coupling structure 70 extends through at least onefemale coupling structure 66 and front recess 74 receives at least onemale coupling structure 70 of base section 12 in a manner maintaining atleast one male coupling structure 70 (e.g., tab 42 and/or clip 44) insetfrom the rearmost planar surface of each of first hooked section 14 andsecond hooked section 16.

Once in hanging position following operation 162, hanger 10 is slid oversupport structure 130 such that merchandise assembly 100 is hung fromsupport structure 130 via the corresponding hanger 130. Steps 160, 162,and 164 are repeated as necessary until support structure 130 is filledwith merchandise assemblies 100 and/or until all merchandise assemblies100 are removed from the box or container they were shipped in.

Following operation 156, merchandise assemblies 100 are fully positionedfor retail display and sale. In one embodiment, indicia 90 on flat,display surface 92 of cross bar 18 are visible by potential consumersviewing merchandise assemblies 100 from a front vantage point. In oneexample, when on retail display, base section 12 and portions or all ofbase portions 46 of first hooked section 12 and second hooked section 14are entirely or at least substantially hidden by merchandise assemblies100 from a potential consumer's view.

At 170, potential consumers select and purchase at least one ofmerchandise assemblies 100. After transporting the at least one selectedmerchandise assembly 100 from retail display 128 and the retail settingas a whole, then at 172, the consumer removes hanger 10 from thecorresponding merchandise assembly 100 by removing fasteners 32. Anypackaging included as part of merchandise assembly 100 is also removed.In one embodiment, product 104 is configured to be hung for end usewithout removing hanger 10, in which case, operation 172 may beeliminated. At 174, the consumer hangs product 104 in the desiredlocation using provided saw-tooth hanger 116, other hanging mechanismprovided with product 104, and/or with consumer provided hangingmechanisms. Once hung, the consumer can enjoy the aesthetic or othernature of product 104.

Although the invention has been described with respect to particularembodiments, such embodiments are for illustrative purposes only andshould not be considered to limit the invention. Various alternativesand other modifications within the scope of the invention in its variousembodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill.

What is claimed is:
 1. A merchandise hanger for displaying a productassembly, the merchandise hanger comprising: a base section defining afirst edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a front side, and arear side opposite the front side, the base section including featuresconfigured to facilitate coupling the base section to a back of theproduct assembly such that the front side of the base section abuts theback of the product assembly; a living hinge extending from the secondedge of the base section; and a hooked section extending from the livinghinge in a direction opposite the base section; wherein: the basesection includes one of at least one male coupling structure and atleast one female coupling structure, the hooked section includes theother of the at least one male coupling structure and the at least onefemale coupling structure, the merchandise hanger is configured to foldabout the living hinge in a manner mating the at least one male couplingstructure and the at least one female coupling structure to maintain themerchandise hanger in a folded position, the living hinge is a firstliving hinge, the hooked section is a first hooked section, and themerchandise hanger further comprises: a second living hinge spaced fromthe first living hinge and extending from the second edge of the basesection, and a second hooked section extending from the second livinghinge in the direction opposite the base section.
 2. The merchandisehanger of claim 1, wherein: the base section defines opposing side edgesand a centerline centered between the opposing side edges, and the firsthooked section and the second hooked section are spaced from one anotherand positioned symmetrically about the centerline of the base section.3. The merchandise hanger of claim 2, wherein: the first hooked sectiondefines a first end hook, the first end hook being positioned oppositethe first living hinge and defining a first opening, the second hookedsection defines a second end hook, the second end hook being positionedopposite the second living hinge and defining a second opening, thefirst opening faces the second end hook, and the second opening facesthe first end hook.
 4. The merchandise hanger of claim 1, furthercomprising: a cross bar extending between the first hooked section andthe second hooked section, wherein the cross bar is spaced from the basesection.
 5. The merchandise hanger of claim 4, wherein: each of thefirst end hook and the second end hook define one of two terminal ends,and the cross bar extends from one of the two terminal ends to anotherof the two terminal ends.
 6. A combination comprising: a productassembly for retail sale defining a back and a topmost edge of theproduct assembly; and a merchandise hanger comprising: a base sectiondefining a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, a frontside and a rear side opposite the front side the base section includingfeatures configured to facilitate coupling the base section to the backof the product assembly such that the front side of the base sectionabuts the back of the product assembly; a living hinge extending fromthe second edge of the base section; and a hooked section extending fromthe living hinge in a direction opposite the base section; wherein: thebase section includes one of at least one male coupling structure and atleast one female coupling structure, the hooked section includes theother of the at least one male coupling structure and the at least onefemale coupling structure, and the merchandise hanger is configured tofold about the living hinge between an unfolded position and the foldedposition in a manner mating the at least one male coupling structure andthe at least one female coupling structure to maintain the merchandisehanger in a folded position, the base section is attached to the back ofthe product assembly below the topmost edge of the product assembly, themerchandise hanger is configured to fold about the living hinge betweenthe unfolded position and the folded position while the base section isattached to the back of the product assembly, when the merchandisehanger is in one of the folded position and the unfolded position, thehooked section is positioned substantially entirely below the topmostedge of the product assembly, and when the merchandise hanger is in theother of the folded position and the unfolded position, the hookedsection is positioned at least partially above the topmost edge of theproduct assembly.
 7. The merchandise hanger of claim 6, wherein themerchandise hanger is formed as a single, molded piece of material. 8.The merchandise hanger of claim 6, wherein: when the merchandise hangeris in the unfolded position, the hooked section is substantiallyentirely maintained on a first side of the second edge of the basesection, the first side is defined opposite the first edge, and when themerchandise hanger is in the folded position, the hooked section atleast partially extends beyond the first edge of the base sectionopposite the second edge of the base section.
 9. The combination ofclaim 6, wherein the product assembly includes a frame defining a rearsurface, and the front side of base section faces and is coupled to therear surface of the frame.
 10. The merchandise hanger of claim 6,wherein the base section defines opposing side edges and an elongatedmiddle opening centered between the opposing side edges of the basesection.
 11. The merchandise hanger of claim 6, wherein: the basesection includes the at least one male coupling structure, the at leastone male coupling structure includes a hooked clip, the hooked portionincludes the at least one female coupling structure, the at least onefemale coupling structure includes an aperture with a protrusionextending from one side of the aperture, and when the merchandise hangeris in the folded position, the hooked clip extends through the apertureand grasps the protrusion to lock the merchandise hanger in the foldedposition.
 12. A merchandise hanger for displaying a product assembly,the merchandise hanger comprising: a base section defining a first edge,a second edge opposite the first edge, a front side, and a rear sideopposite the front side the base section including features configuredto facilitate coupling the base section to a back of the productassembly such that the front side of the base section abuts the back ofthe product assembly; a living hinge extending from the second edge ofthe base section; and a hooked section extending from the living hingein a direction opposite the base section; wherein: the base sectionincludes one of at least one male coupling structure and at least onefemale coupling structure, the hooked section includes the other of theat least one male coupling structure and the at least one femalecoupling structure, the merchandise hanger is configured to fold aboutthe living hinge in a manner mating the at least one male couplingstructure and the at least one female coupling structure to maintain themerchandise hanger in a folded position, and the features configured tofacilitate coupling the base section to the back of the product assemblyinclude a linear arrangement of apertures extending through the basesection and each being configured to receive a different fastenerextending into the product assembly.
 13. A merchandise hanger fordisplaying a product assembly, the merchandise hanger comprising: a basesection defining a first edge, a second edge opposite the first edge, afront side, and a rear side opposite the front side the base sectionincluding features configured to facilitate coupling the base section toa back of the product assembly such that the front side of the basesection abuts the back of the product assembly; a living hinge extendingfrom the second edge of the base section; and a hooked section extendingfrom the living hinge in a direction opposite the base section; wherein:the base section includes one of at least one male coupling structureand at least one female coupling structure, the hooked section includesthe other of the at least one male coupling structure and the at leastone female coupling structure, the merchandise hanger is configured tofold about the living hinge in a manner mating the at least one malecoupling structure and the at least one female coupling structure tomaintain the merchandise hanger in a folded position, the fastenerextends through the features of the base section and facilitatescoupling the base section to the back of the product assembly, and thehooked portion includes an opening extending therethrough to accommodatea portion of the fastener extending rearwardly from the rear surface ofthe base section.
 14. A retail display assembly comprising: a productassembly for retail sale defining a front display surface, a rearsurface opposite the front display surface, and a footprint; and ahanger comprising: a base section defining a first edge, a second edgeopposite the first edge, a front surface coupled to the rear surface ofthe product assembly, and a rear surface opposite the front surface, thebase section including features configured to facilitate coupling thebase section to the rear surface of the product assembly such that thefront surface of the base section abuts the rear surface of the productassembly, a living hinge extending from the second edge of the basesection, and an extension member extending from the living hinge in adirection opposite the base section, the extension member defining asupport surface for interacting with a support in a retail display tohang the product from the support, wherein: the hanger is configured totransition from an unfolded position to a folded position in which theextension member is rotated about the living hinge, the base sectionincludes one of at least one male coupling structure and at least onefemale coupling structure, the extension member includes the other ofthe at least one male coupling structure and the at least one femalecoupling structure, when the hanger is in the folded position, the atleast one male coupling structure and the at least one female couplingstructure mate to maintain the hanger in the folded position, when thehanger is in one of the folded position and the unfolded position, theextension member is maintained entirely within the footprint of theproduct assembly, and when the hanger is in the other of the foldedposition and the unfolded position, the extension member extends atleast partially outside the footprint of the product assembly.